Apparatus for preparing a food item in a microwave oven

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for preparing a food item in a microwave oven comprises a tray including a plurality of elevated heating areas and a plurality of channels disposed between the elevated heating areas, the elevated heating areas each including a microwave energy interactive material, a cover pivotably connected to the tray for pivoting the cover relative to the tray between an open position and a closed position, and a locking feature operative for releasably maintaining the cover in the closed position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/378,574, filed Feb. 17, 2009, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/029,470, filed Feb. 18, 2008, both ofwhich are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various constructs or apparatuses for heating or cooking a food item ina microwave oven are disclosed. In particular, this disclosure relatesto various constructs and systems for heating or cooking a food item ina microwave oven, where the food item may have more than one surface tobe browned and/or crisped.

BACKGROUND

Microwavable packages provide a convenient means for preparing a varietyof food items in a microwave oven. However, many of such packages tendto brown and/or crisp only one surface of the food item at a time, sothe food item must be rotated and/or inverted during heating. Thus,there is a need for a microwave heating construct that is capable ofbrowning and/or crisping multiple surfaces of a food item concurrently.

SUMMARY

This disclosure is directed generally to various apparatuses and methodsfor preparing a food item in a microwave oven. The apparatus generallycomprises a pair of opposed heating surfaces, constructs, or structures(e.g, tray and cover) adapted to heat, brown, and/or crisp multiplesides of a food item simultaneously. One or both of the opposedstructures may be shaped and/or contoured to accommodate the shape offood item. The structures may be joined to one another and/or mayinclude a locking mechanism to secure the structures in a superposed,substantially parallel relationship with one another. The apparatus maybe formed from a disposable material, for example, paperboard, moldedpulp, molded fiber, or a polymeric material.

The apparatus may be used to prepare various food items in a microwaveoven, for example, waffles, French toast, pancakes, sandwiches, breadedfood items, or any other food item that desirably is heated, browned,and/or crisped on more than one side or surface.

In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for preparing a food item in amicrowave oven comprises a tray, a cover pivotably connected to the trayfor pivoting the cover relative to the tray between an open position anda closed position, and a locking feature operative for releasablymaintaining the cover in the closed position. The tray includes aplurality of elevated heating areas and a plurality of channels disposedbetween the elevated heating areas. At least a portion of at least someof the heating areas include a microwave energy interactive material,for example, a microwave energy interactive material operative forconverting at least a portion of impinging microwave energy into thermalenergy.

The elevated heating areas may have any suitable profile, for example, asubstantially planar profile or a contoured profile. Likewise, thechannels may have any suitable profile, for example, a substantiallysemi-circular profile. The channels may be arranged in any manner, andin one example, the channels are substantially parallel to one another.

The cover may likewise include a plurality of heating areas, eachincluding a microwave energy interactive material, and a plurality ofchannels disposed between the heating areas of the cover. The channelsin the cover may generally recede in a direction away from the tray whenthe cover is in the closed position. The heating areas of the cover mayhave any suitable profile, for example, a substantially planar profileor a contoured profile. The channels in the tray and the channels in thecover may be in register with one another or may be out of register withone another when the cover is in the closed position.

The cover may be pivotably connected to the tray by a separator panel.The locking feature may include a slot in the tray distal from theseparator panel, and a tab extending from a portion of the cover distalfrom the separator panel, where the tab is adapted to be received in theslot. When the tab is inserted into the slot, the cover is urged towardsthe tray.

Additional aspects, features, and advantages of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following description and accompanyingfigures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to the accompanying drawings in which likereference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views,and in which:

FIG. 1A is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary microwaveheating apparatus, in a partially open configuration;

FIG. 1B is a schematic perspective view of the microwave heatingapparatus of FIG. 1A, in a closed configuration;

FIG. 1C is a schematic end view of the microwave heating apparatus ofFIG. 1B, viewed along a line 1C-1C;

FIG. 1D is a schematic cross-sectional view of the microwave heatingapparatus of FIG. 1B, taken along a line 1D-1D;

FIG. 1E is a schematic top plan view of the microwave heating apparatusof FIG. 1A, in a fully open configuration; and

FIG. 1F is a schematic cross-sectional view of the microwave heatingapparatus of FIG. 1E, taken along a line 1F-1F.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention may be illustrated further by referring to thefigures. For purposes of simplicity, like numerals may be used todescribe like features. It will be understood that where a plurality ofsimilar features are depicted, not all of such features necessarily arelabeled on each figure. It also will be understood that variouscomponents used to form the apparatuses of the present invention may beinterchanged. Thus, while only certain combinations are illustratedherein, numerous other combinations and configurations are contemplatedhereby.

FIGS. 1A-1F schematically depict a microwave heating apparatus 100(i.e., a microwave energy interactive heating apparatus) for preparing afood item, for example, a warm sandwich. As shown in FIG. 1A, theapparatus 100 generally includes a tray 102 and a cover 104 foldablyjoined to one another along a line of disruption (e.g., a score line,fold line, cut-crease line, perforation line, or the like), for example,a fold line 106, such that the cover 104 can be pivoted between an openposition and a closed position relative to the tray 102. In theillustrated embodiment, the cover 104 is pivotably connected to the tray102 by a separator panel 108. However, it is contemplated that the coverand tray may be joined in any other suitable manner. It is alsocontemplated that in other embodiments the tray 102 and cover 104 may beseparate from one another (i.e., not joined to one another).

The tray 102 generally includes a base 110 and a wall 112 extendingupwardly from a peripheral margin of the base 110. All or a portion ofthe wall 112 may have a sloped profile, as shown in FIGS. 1D and 1F, anupright profile, or any other suitable profile. A rim or flange 114 mayextend around an uppermost margin of the wall 112. The wall 112 and/orflange 114 may be constructed to provide dimensional stability to theapparatus 100.

The base 110 generally includes a central portion 116 circumscribed by aperipheral portion 118. The peripheral portion 118 may have a slightlycurved profile when viewed in cross-section, as shown in FIGS. 1D and1F, or may have any other suitable profile. The central portion 116includes a plurality of substantially planar surfaces or portions 120that may be somewhat raised or elevated relative to the peripheralportion 118, such that the peripheral portion 118 defines a lowermostportion of the tray 102 (FIG. 1D). A plurality of elongatedindentations, recesses, or channels 122 extend in a direction D1(transverse to a direction D2) across the central portion 116 of thebase 110 between the planar portions 120 to provide venting of moisturegenerated by the food item (FIG. 1E). The channels 122 generally recedein a downward direction towards the lowermost part of the base 110, inthis instance, the peripheral portion 118. In the illustratedembodiment, the channels 122 do not extend as far downwardly as thelowermost point of the peripheral portion 118. However, it is understoodthat the channels 122 may have any suitable depth and may extend to thedepth of the peripheral portion 118 if desired.

Likewise, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1E, and 1F, the cover 104 may include acentral portion 124 including a plurality of substantially planarsurfaces or portions 126, and a plurality of elongated indentations,recesses, or channels 128 extending in a direction D1 (transverse to adirection D2) across the central portion 124 between, and receding from,the planar portions 126. The cover 104 also may include a rim 130 thatcircumscribes the central portion 124 and generally defines at least aportion of a peripheral margin of the cover 104.

When viewed in a fully open condition (FIGS. 1E and 1F), the rim 130 maydefine the lowermost portion of the cover 104, and the central portion124 may be somewhat elevated relative to the rim 130. In the illustratedembodiment, the channels 128 do not extend as far downwardly as thelowermost point of the rim 130. However, it is understood that thechannels 128 may have any suitable depth and may extend to the depth ofthe rim 130 if desired.

Conversely, when viewed in a fully closed condition (FIGS. 1B-1D), therim 130 may define an uppermost portion of the cover 104 and the planarportion 126 of the cover 104 may define a lowermost portion of the cover104. Optionally, the central portion 124 of the cover 104 may extend atleast partially into the interior of the tray 102 when the cover 104 isin the closed position, as shown schematically in FIG. 1D. In otherexamples (not shown), the cover may be generally planar with a pluralityof channels receding away from the planar surface, such that the centralportion and the rim are substantially coplanar (i.e., the rim and theplanar surface lie within substantially the same horizontal plane). Insuch an example, the cover may be sized and/or dimensioned to extendinto the interior of the tray if desired, or may be dimensioned to be inface-to-face contact with the rim 114 of the tray 102.

As shown in FIGS. 1B-1D, when the apparatus 100 is in a closedconfiguration, that is, when the cover 104 is brought into face-to-facecontact with the tray 102, the respective channels 122, 128 aresubstantially in register with one another (FIG. 1D), with therespective channels 122, 128 in the base 110 and cover 104 receding awayfrom one another. However, in other embodiments, the channels 122, 128may be out of register (i.e., not aligned) with one another. Further, inthis example, the base 110 and cover 104 each include four channels 122,128 that are substantially parallel to one another, each channel 122,128 having a substantially arcuate profile (e.g., curved orsemi-circular) when viewed in cross-section (FIGS. 1D and 1F). However,any number, arrangement, and shape of channels 122, 128 may be used, asneeded to provide the desired degree of venting for the particularheating application.

If desired, one or more microwave energy interactive elements 132, 134(shown schematically with stippling in FIGS. 1A and 1E) may overlie atleast a portion of the substantially planar portions 120, 126 of thetray 102 and/or cover 104, such that the planar portions 120, 126 serveas respective heating areas or surfaces 120, 126. In one example, theelements may be susceptors, which generally comprise a thin layer ofmicrowave energy interactive material (generally less than about 100angstroms in thickness, for example, from about 60 to about 100angstroms in thickness) that tends to absorb at least a portion ofimpinging microwave energy and convert it to thermal energy (i.e., heat)at the interface with the food item. Susceptors often are used topromote browning and/or crisping of the surface of a food item. However,other microwave energy interactive elements may be used. The susceptors132, 134 may be supported on a polymer film, which generally may definerespective food-contacting surfaces 134, 136 of the tray 102 and cover104. In the illustrated example, the susceptors 134, 136 only overliethe substantially planar surfaces 120, 126 of the tray 102 and cover104. However, it is contemplated that the susceptor may overlie anyother part of the tray 102 or cover 104, for example, any part intendedto be in close proximity to the food item (e.g., channels 122, 128, theperipheral portion 118 of the base 110 and/or the wall 112 of the tray102).

Still viewing the figures, the apparatus 100 may include a lockingmechanism to releasably secure the cover 104 in a closed, superposedrelationship with the tray 102. In this example, as best seen in FIGS.1A, 1B, 1C, and 1E, the locking mechanism includes a tab 140 adapted tobe received in a slot 142 (FIG. 1E) in the wall 112 of the tray 102. Inthis example, the tab 140 and the slot 142 are in respective portions ofthe cover 104 and tray 102 distal from the separator panel 108. Ifdesired, the positions of the tab and slot could be interchanged, suchthat the slot in is in the cover and the tab extends from the tray.

To use the apparatus 100 according to one acceptable method, a food item(not shown) may be placed on the central portion 116 of the tray 102.The apparatus 100 may be closed by pivoting the cover 104 toward thetray 102 until the cover 102 is in a superposed relationship with thetray 102. In this configuration, the respective planar portions (i.e.,the respective heating surfaces) 120, 126 of the tray 102 and cover 104at least partially engage opposite surfaces of the food item. The cover104 then may be locked in the closed position by inserting the tab 140into the slot 142, as shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C.

It will be noted that FIGS. 1B-1D are representative of the closedapparatus 100 in an empty condition or containing a relatively thin fooditem. However, a food item having a greater thickness may cause the tray102 and cover 104 to be more distant from one another in the closedconfiguration. In such an instance, some downward force may need to beexerted on the food item and/or tray 102 to insert the tab 140 into theslot 142. The cover 104 may remain urged toward the food item during theheating cycle, which may enhance heating, browning, and/or crispingfurther. In some examples, depending on the thickness of the food itemand the force needed to engage the tab 140 and slot 142, thiscompressive force may advantageously be maintained even if the height ofthe food item, and therefore, the distance between the tray 102 andcover 104 decreases, for example, when a frozen cheese sandwich isheated. It will be understood that as the height of the food itemdecreases, the magnitude of the compressive force also may decrease. Atthe same time, as the magnitude of the compressive force decreases, thedistance the tab 140 protrudes from the slot 142 may increase.Conversely, where an item expands during heating, the magnitude of thecompressive force may increase and the distance the tab 140 protrudesfrom the slot 142 (on the exterior of the tray) may decrease. In eithercase, a compressive force may be maintained on the food item to securethe food item in position and provide the desired degree of heating,browning, and crisping of the food item.

As the microwave heating cycle proceeds, the susceptors 132, 134 convertat least a portion of the impinging microwave energy to thermal energy(i.e., sensible heat), which then may be transferred to the adjacentsurface of the food item to enhance browning and/or crisping of theaffected areas. At least some of any steam released from the food itemmay be carried away from the food item along the channels 122, 128,which serve as venting channels, thereby further enhancing browningand/or crisping. Additionally, the elevated central portion 116 of thetray 102 maintains the food item in an elevated position, which reducesthe amount of sensible heat transferred from the susceptor 132 on thetray 102 to the ambient environment of the microwave oven, still furtherenhancing the browning and/or crisping of the food item. The pattern ofbrowning and/or crisping may include an overall darkened appearance withsomewhat lighter areas corresponding to the areas overlying channels122, 128, generally resembling the visual appearance of grill marks.When the heating cycle is complete, the food item may be removed and theapparatus 100 may be discarded.

It will be noted that many conventional microwave heating packagesincluding a susceptor are prone to warping or twisting as the susceptorgenerates thermal energy. However, the apparatus 100 of the presentdisclosure may be formed from materials having sufficient strengthand/or rigidity to minimize any structural change or deformation.Further, the wall 112 of the tray 102, the locking mechanism (e.g., tab140 and slot 142), and other components of the apparatus 100 may providefurther structural stability, and therefore resistance to warping,during heating, so that the susceptors 132, 134 substantially remain inthe desired position relative to the surfaces of the food item to attainthe desired degree of heating, browning, and crisping of the food item.

Numerous other microwave heating apparatuses, constructs, and structuresare encompassed by the disclosure. Any of such apparatuses have anysuitable shape and dimensions, depending on the type of food item beingheated, the desired heating time, the desired degree of browning and/orcrisping, or any other suitable criteria. For example, in theillustrated embodiment, the central portions 116, 124 of the base 110and cover 104 are substantially square in shape with rounded corners,and the peripheral portion 118 of the tray 102 is substantially squareannular in shape with rounded corners. However, it is contemplated thatany of the various parts of the apparatus 100 may have any suitableshape, for example, circular, square, triangular, or any other regularor irregular shape, as needed or desired for a given heatingapplication.

Further, if desired, the base 110 and/or cover 104 and/or the respectiveheating surfaces 120, 126 may be contoured to accommodate the shape of afood item having a shaped or irregular surface, for example, a domed orbowed surface. In doing so, the microwave energy interactive elementsmay be brought into closer proximity with the surface of the food item.Numerous examples of contoured surfaces that may be suitable for usewith the present invention are provided in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2008/0164178 A1, published Jul. 10, 2008, and U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0000896 A1, published Jan. 3,2008, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety. In some instances, such contoured surfaces may cooperate withone or more venting channels and/or microwave transparent areas tocreate the visual appearance of grill marks.

As another example, the heating surfaces of the base and/or cover may beadapted to heat, brown, and/or crisp multiple food items concurrently,by for example, using more than one elevated area.

Further, any of the apparatuses according to the disclosure may beformed from various materials, provided that the materials aresubstantially resistant to softening, scorching, combusting, ordegrading at typical microwave oven heating temperatures, for example,at from about 250° F. to about 425° F. The materials may includemicrowave energy interactive materials, for example, those used to formsusceptors and other microwave energy interactive elements, andmicrowave energy transparent or inactive materials, for example, thoseused to form the remainder of the apparatus.

The microwave energy interactive material may be an electroconductive orsemiconductive material, for example, a metal or a metal alloy providedas a metal foil; a vacuum deposited metal or metal alloy; or a metallicink, an organic ink, an inorganic ink, a metallic paste, an organicpaste, an inorganic paste, or any combination thereof. Examples ofmetals and metal alloys that may be suitable include, but are notlimited to, aluminum, chromium, copper, inconel alloys(nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy with niobium), iron, magnesium,nickel, stainless steel, tin, titanium, tungsten, and any combination oralloy thereof.

Alternatively, the microwave energy interactive material may comprise ametal oxide, for example, oxides of aluminum, iron, and tin, optionallyused in conjunction with an electrically conductive material. Anothermetal oxide that may be suitable is indium tin oxide (ITO). ITO has amore uniform crystal structure and, therefore, is clear at most coatingthicknesses.

Alternatively still, the microwave energy interactive material maycomprise a suitable electroconductive, semiconductive, or non-conductiveartificial dielectric or ferroelectric. Artificial dielectrics compriseconductive, subdivided material in a polymeric or other suitable matrixor binder, and may include flakes of an electroconductive metal, forexample, aluminum.

While susceptors are illustrated herein, the apparatus alternatively oradditionally may include a foil or high optical density evaporatedmaterial having a thickness sufficient to reflect a substantial portionof impinging microwave energy. Such elements are typically formed from aconductive, reflective metal or metal alloy, for example, aluminum,copper, or stainless steel, in the form of a solid “patch” generallyhaving a thickness of from about 0.000285 inches to about 0.05 inches,for example, from about 0.0003 inches to about 0.03 inches. Other suchelements may have a thickness of from about 0.0003 5 inches to about0.020 inches, for example, 0.016 inches.

Larger microwave energy reflecting elements may be used where the fooditem is prone to scorching or drying out during heating. Smallermicrowave energy reflecting elements may be used to diffuse or lessenthe intensity of microwave energy. A plurality of smaller microwaveenergy reflecting elements also may be arranged to form a microwaveenergy directing element to direct microwave energy to specific areas ofthe food item. If desired, the loops may be of a length that causesmicrowave energy to resonate, thereby enhancing the distribution effect.Microwave energy distributing elements are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,204,492, 6,433,322, 6,552,315, and 6,677,563, each of which isincorporated by reference in its entirety.

If desired, any of the numerous microwave energy interactive elementsdescribed herein or contemplated hereby may be substantially continuous,that is, without substantial breaks or interruptions, or may bediscontinuous, for example, by including one or more breaks or aperturesthat transmit microwave energy therethrough. The breaks or apertures maybe sized and positioned to heat particular areas of the food itemselectively. The breaks or apertures may extend through the entirestructure, or only through one or more layers. The number, shape, size,and positioning of such breaks or apertures may vary for a particularapplication depending on the type of construct being formed, the fooditem to be heated therein or thereon, the desired degree of shielding,browning, and/or crisping, whether direct exposure to microwave energyis needed or desired to attain uniform heating of the food item, theneed for regulating the change in temperature of the food item throughdirect heating, and whether and to what extent there is a need forventing.

It will be understood that the aperture may be a physical aperture orvoid in one or more layers or materials used to form the construct, ormay be a non-physical “aperture”. A non-physical aperture is a microwaveenergy transparent area that allows microwave energy to pass through thestructure without an actual void or hole cut through the structure. Suchareas may be formed by simply not applying a microwave energyinteractive material to the particular area, or by removing microwaveenergy interactive material in the particular area, or by chemicallyand/or mechanically deactivating the microwave energy interactivematerial in the particular area. While both physical and non-physicalapertures allow the food item to be heated directly by the microwaveenergy, a physical aperture also provides a venting function to allowsteam or other vapors to escape from the interior of the construct.

The arrangement of microwave energy interactive and microwave energytransparent areas may be selected to provide various levels of heating,as needed or desired for a particular application. For example, wheregreater heating is desired, the total inactive area may be increased. Indoing so, more microwave energy is transmitted to the food item.

Alternatively, by decreasing the total inactive area, more microwaveenergy is absorbed by the microwave energy interactive areas, convertedinto thermal energy, and transmitted to the surface of the food item toenhance browning and/or crisping.

In some instances, it may be beneficial to create one or morediscontinuities or inactive regions to prevent overheating or charringof the apparatus. When exposed to microwave energy, the concentration ofheat generated by overlapping areas may be sufficient to cause theunderlying support, in this case, paperboard, to become scorched. Assuch, the overlapping areas may be designed to be microwave energytransparent (as shown), for example, by forming such areas without amicrowave energy interactive material, by removing any microwave energyinteractive material that has been applied, or by deactivating themicrowave energy interactive material in these areas.

Further still, one or more panels, portions of panels, or portions ofthe construct may be designed to be microwave energy transparent toensure that the microwave energy is focused efficiently on the areas tobe browned and/or crisped, rather than being lost to portions of thefood item not intended to be browned and/or crisped or to the heatingenvironment. This may be achieved using any suitable technique, such asthose described above. For example, in the construct 100 illustrated inFIGS. 1A-1F, the channels 122, 128, wall 112, and various other portionsof the apparatus 110 may be designed to be microwave energy transparentif such areas are not intended to be in intimate and/or proximatecontact with the surface of the food item.

As stated above, the microwave energy interactive element may besupported on a microwave inactive or transparent substrate, for example,a polymer film or other suitable polymeric material, for ease ofhandling and/or to prevent contact between the microwave energyinteractive material and the food item. Examples of polymer films thatmay be suitable include, but are not limited to, polyolefins,polyesters, polyamides, polyimides, polysulfones, polyether ketones,cellophanes, or any combination thereof. In one particular example, thepolymer film comprises polyethylene terephthalate. The thickness of thefilm generally may be from about 35 gauge to about 10 mil. In each ofvarious examples, the thickness of the film may be from about 40 toabout 80 gauge, from about 45 to about 50 gauge, about 48 gauge, or anyother suitable thickness. Other non-conducting substrate materials suchas paper and paper laminates, metal oxides, silicates, cellulosics, orany combination thereof, also may be used.

The microwave energy interactive material may be applied to thesubstrate in any suitable manner, and in some instances, the microwaveenergy interactive material is printed on, extruded onto, sputteredonto, evaporated on, or laminated to the substrate. The microwave energyinteractive material may be applied to the substrate in any pattern, andusing any technique, to achieve the desired heating effect of the fooditem. For example, the microwave energy interactive material may beprovided as a continuous or discontinuous layer or coating includingcircles, loops, hexagons, islands, squares, rectangles, octagons, and soforth.

Various materials may serve as the base material for the apparatus. Forexample, the apparatus may be formed at least partially from a polymeror polymeric material. As another example, all or a portion theapparatus may be formed from a paper or paperboard material. In oneexample, the paper has a basis weight of from about 15 to about 60lbs/ream (lb/3000 sq. ft.), for example, from about 20 to about 40lbs/ream. In another example, the paper has a basis weight of about 25lbs/ream. In another example, the paperboard having a basis weight offrom about 60 to about 330 lbs/ream, for example, from about 80 to about140 lbs/ream. The paperboard generally may have a thickness of fromabout 6 to about 30 mils, for example, from about 12 to about 28 mils.In one particular example, the paperboard has a thickness of about 12mils. Any suitable paperboard may be used, for example, a solid bleachedor solid unbleached sulfate board, such as SUS® board, commerciallyavailable from Graphic Packaging International.

The apparatus may be formed according to numerous processes known tothose in the art, including using adhesive bonding, thermal bonding,ultrasonic bonding, mechanical stitching, or any other suitable process.Any of the various components used to form the apparatus may be providedas a sheet of material, a roll of material, or a die cut material in theshape of the apparatus to be formed (e.g., a blank).

In one example, the tray 102 and/or cover 104 each may be formed using athermal, mechanical, or thermomechanical pressing technique. With such amethod, the exterior side of the cover 104 may have a plurality ofprotrusions 144 corresponding to the channels or indentations 128 on theinterior side of the cover 104, as shown in FIG. 1B. The tray 102 maysimilarly include a plurality of protrusions (not shown) on an exteriorside of the base 110 opposite the channels or indentations 122. However,it is contemplated that in other embodiments, the exterior side of thetray 102 and/or cover 104 may be substantially planar and/or may beprovided with indentations or channels on the respective interior sidein some other suitable manner.

While the present invention is described herein in detail in relation tospecific aspects and embodiments, it is to be understood that thisdetailed description is only illustrative and exemplary of the presentinvention and is made merely for purposes of providing a full andenabling disclosure of the present invention and to set forth the bestmode of practicing the invention known to the inventors at the time theinvention was made. The detailed description set forth herein isillustrative only and is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limitthe present invention or otherwise to exclude any such otherembodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalentarrangements of the present invention. All directional references (e.g.,upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top,bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, andcounterclockwise) are used only for identification purposes to aid thereader's understanding of the various embodiments of the presentinvention, and do not create limitations, particularly as to theposition, orientation, or use of the invention unless specifically setforth in the claims. Joinder references (e.g., joined, attached,coupled, connected, and the like) are to be construed broadly and mayinclude intermediate members between a connection of elements andrelative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do notnecessarily imply that two elements are connected directly and in fixedrelation to each other. Further, various elements discussed withreference to the various embodiments may be interchanged to createentirely new embodiments coming within the scope of the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for preparing a food item in amicrowave oven, comprising: a tray formed using a pressing technique,the tray including opposite interior and exterior sides, and theexterior side of the tray forming a portion of the exterior of theapparatus while the apparatus is in a closed configuration, wherein theinterior side of the tray includes a plurality of elevated heatingareas, the elevated heating areas each including microwave energyinteractive material, the interior side of the tray further includes aplurality of channels disposed between the elevated heating areas, andthe exterior side of the tray includes a plurality of protrusions thatare respectively vertically aligned with the channels; a cover formedusing a pressing technique, the cover including opposite interior andexterior sides, and the exterior side of the cover forming a portion ofthe exterior of the apparatus while the apparatus is in the closedconfiguration; a line of disruption, the tray and the cover beingfoldably joined to one another along the line of disruption so that thecover is pivotably connected to the tray for pivoting the cover relativeto the tray between an open position and a closed position; and alocking feature operative for releasably maintaining the cover in theclosed position.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elevatedheating areas have a substantially planar profile.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the channels have a substantially arcuate profile. 4.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the locking feature includes: a slotin the tray distal from the line of disruption, and a tab extending froma portion of the cover distal from the line of disruption, the tab beingadapted to be received within the slot.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the cover being pivotably connected to the tray comprises thecover being connected to the tray by a separator panel.
 6. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the tray includes a base and a peripheral wall thatdefine an interior space of the tray, the wall extends upwardly from aperiphery of the base, and the upwardly extending wall extends aroundthe interior space.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein: the elevatedheating surfaces and the channels of the tray define a substantiallycentral portion of the base of the tray, and the base of the trayincludes a peripheral portion circumscribing the central portion of thebase of the tray, the peripheral portion being a lowermost portion ofthe tray.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the interior side of thecover includes a plurality of heating areas, each of the heating areasof the cover including microwave energy interactive material, and aplurality of channels disposed between the heating areas of the cover,relative to the heating areas of the cover the channels in the coverreceding in a direction away from the tray when the cover is in theclosed position, and the exterior side of the cover includes a pluralityof protrusions that are respectively vertically aligned with thechannels on the interior side of the cover when the cover is in theclosed position.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the heating areasof the cover have a substantially planar profile.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the channels in the tray and the channels in the coverare in register with one another when the cover is in the closedposition.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the channels in the trayand the channels in the cover are out of register with one another whenthe cover is in the closed position.
 12. The apparatus of claim 8,wherein: the heating areas and the channels of the cover define asubstantially central portion of the cover, and the cover furtherincludes a rim circumscribing the substantially central portion of thecover.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the rim defines anuppermost portion of the cover when the cover is in the closed position.14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the rim is substantially coplanarwith the heating areas of the cover.
 15. An apparatus for preparing afood item in a microwave oven, comprising: a tray formed using apressing technique, the tray including opposite interior and exteriorsides, and the exterior side of the tray forming a portion of theexterior of the apparatus while the apparatus is in a closedconfiguration; a cover formed using a pressing technique, the coverincluding opposite interior and exterior sides, and the exterior side ofthe cover forming a portion of the exterior of the apparatus while theapparatus is in the closed configuration, wherein the interior side ofthe cover includes a plurality of heating areas, each of the heatingareas of the cover including microwave energy interactive material, theinterior side of the cover further includes a plurality of channelsdisposed between the heating areas of the cover, relative to the heatingareas of the cover the channels in the cover receding in a directionaway from the tray when the cover is in a closed position, and theexterior side of the cover includes a plurality of protrusions that arerespectively vertically aligned with the channels on the interior sideof the cover when the cover is in the closed position; a line ofdisruption, the tray and the cover being foldably joined to one anotheralong the line of disruption so that the cover is pivotably connected tothe tray for pivoting the cover relative to the tray between an openposition and the closed position; and a locking feature operative forreleasably maintaining the cover in the closed position.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 15, wherein the heating areas of the cover have asubstantially planar profile.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein:the heating areas and the channels of the cover define a substantiallycentral portion of the cover, and the cover further includes a rimcircumscribing the substantially central portion of the cover.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 17, wherein the rim defines an uppermost portion ofthe cover when the cover is in the closed position.
 19. The apparatus ofclaim 17, wherein the rim is substantially coplanar with the heatingareas of the cover.